Local Insight: Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” was painted using an experimental oil and tempera technique on a dry wall, not traditional fresco. This made it incredibly fragile, leading to centuries of deterioration and meticulous restoration, making your chance to see it a truly rare privilege.

Da Vinci spent nearly 20 years in Milan under the patronage of Ludovico Sforza, working not just as a painter but as an engineer, sculptor, and architect. The city’s canals, known as Navigli, were partly designed by his innovative hydraulic engineering mind.

For a complete da Vinci immersion, visit the Codex Atlanticus at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. It houses the largest collection of his drawings and writings, including futuristic sketches for flying machines, submarines, and military engineering—a testament to his boundless mind beyond the canvas.

Standing before The Last Supper isn’t just seeing a painting; it’s a moment of connection with a genius. The careful preservation limits visitors to just a few at a time, making your guided tour an intimate, almost private audience with one of history’s most profound artworks.